Matthew Endo wrote:

> Declan Murphy <declan_murphy@hotmail.com> wrote:
> 
>>Never mind water, perhaps it would taste better with cheap rum or 
>>something. I tried one too. The cokebloke came and re-filled the vending
>>machine outside my office yesterday. Instead of 3 of coke, 3 of diet 
>>coke, there's now 2 lines of coke, 2 of diet, 2 of C2 at the same 100
>>yen/can. Only the cans were changed though, not the PET bottles. I'm 
>>wondering if it is somehow not available yet in a PET bottle or whether
>>private vending machines are lower on the distribution list.
> 
> 100 yen a can?  Pretty good.  We have a "secret" 100 yen machine near
> our office which has 500 ml. cans of Aquarius and Coke for the same
> price, too.  

As I understand it, if the machine is not "public", the price is at our 
discretion. So technically the machine outside my office could charge 
80, even 60 yen a can, since the cans usually cost in the of 38-43 yen 
wholesale in the volumes we buy them at. It is 100 yen mainly for 
reasons of change and maintenance. But if that machine was outside the 
building where any member of the public passing by could make a 
purchase, then unless we conform to the RRP the machine would no longer 
be made available. The machine outside our coffee shop is all RRP for 
that reason.

> PET bottles are widely available, at the supermarket, they had C2 on
> sale for 100 yen for 500 ml. bottles.

I guess when our current stock of 500ml regular coke (4 lines in the 
machine, no diet) runs low they'll make a switch of one or two lines then)

> P.S.  I'm in Tokyo.  Vending machine prices in Okinawa are cheaper,
> although 120 yen is the "standard" price across the country.

I assume you referring only to Naha and the main island? I wonder why 
Okinawa is cheaper? Perhaps there is a bottling plant there or higher 
sales volume per machine. Most small islands and remote areas tend to 
cost a little more than RRP.

-- 
"Oh don't give me none more of that Old Janx Spirit/ No, don't you give 
me none more of that Old Janx Spirit/ For my head will fly, my tongue 
will lie, my eyes will fry and I may die/ Won't you pour me one more of 
that sinful Old Janx Spirit"